some hearts are true
Was anybody else a bit shocked that tonight's A Silver Mt Zion (or Silver Mt Zion, or ... Memorial Orchaestra or ...and Tra-la-la-band or whatever they like being called now) sold out? They're a great band, but I didn't think they were far enough above the radar to pack Richard's. Score one for Vancouver for filling the place.
I haven't spent a ton of time with any of their records after He Has Left Us..., although it's not because the albums that followed their debut were any weaker (in fact, a couple of them are probably better). At any rate, the band's taken big strides to evolve their sound. I couldn't tell you what they were like live earlier in their existence, but if you read the very wonderful article in this month's Discorder, you'll know that Efrim wasn't to fond of their early live shows, and they've purposely tried to become a live act that could "win any audience in any bar anywhere." They weren't perfect tonight, but if it was any indication of the usual level of quality of their live show, they sure as hell come close to living up to that aspiration. It was a powerful performance. The mainset closer in particular (a new track called "Blind, Blind, Blind") was phenomenal. Here's a link to a recording on the Archive of the song from one of the band's shows at La Salla Rosa in Montreal (there are a twenty or so full shows up as well).
download: Silver Mount Zion - Blind, Blind, Blind (live in Montreal) (full show)
I got to Richard's just in time to catch Carla Bozulich. At times the noisy soundscapes threatened to fall into the realm of meandering, and the lyrics occassionally got a bit wince inducing, but for the most part Carla's vocals overtop of the thick orchaestrations added up to make a pretty enjoyable time.
And now, a whole bunch of shows announcements:
Short notice on this one: Gentlemen Reg is at Lotus with Stinkmitt for part of Out On Screen on August 23rd. (thanks Shea)
Asobi Seksu is at the Media Club on September 28th.
Chad VanGaalen is at the Media Club on October 7th.
Tokyo Police Club plays UBC's Gallery Lounge on November
James Murphy and The Juan MacLean are spinning at Celebs on September 22nd. Well, Juan might show and I may stay sober enough to notice. I won't get into the argument of why or why not he doesn't tend to show up for his gigs here, but I will agree with the point that even if its just James Murphy, I'll take this over that cancelled Ms. Kittin gig any day. (thanks Chris)
Detroit Cobras are at Richard's on October 16th.
The Black Angels are at Richard's on October 22nd. I was thinking of attending the second New Pornos show that night, but maybe I'll hit the one on the 21st now.
Man Man are the Media Club on September 30th.
Geoff Berner is opening the Billy Bragg show on September 29th. Shame that this is the same night as Andrew Bird.
The Watson Twins (sans JLew) are opening for Matt Costa's Commodore date.
Blood Meridian (who just got PForked) are opening for the Clientele on the 25th of this month.
now playing: A Silver Mount Zion - Blind, Blind, Blind (live in Montreal)
8 Comments:
I thought the show was pretty great as well - I loved the encore song (A Million Died To Make This Sound), which I thought was pretty godspeed-esque. Efrim calling out some Douglas Coupland hate early in the show was awesome. Carla Bozulich didn't do much for me; when your most compelling and energetic tune is a Low cover, you might have problems.
PS: Pollstar is back to listing Bonnie Prince Billy as 3 nights.
By 
, at
9:59 a.m.
Hey,
Tokyo POlice club are on the 17th not 27th! thanks for posting though
By , at
11:24 a.m.
bill: what's so bad about Coupland?
anonymous: thanks
By 
Quinn, at
12:45 p.m.
quinn: Well, I don't really know why Efrim's problem with him is; it wasn't so much that he hates Douglas Coupland that I found awesome, but that he'd make a point of telling the audience about it.
By , at
2:16 p.m.
can someone back me up on the fact that Blood Meridian are absolutly awful?
By Peter, at
10:58 p.m.
I'd say that when it is just Matt solo, the songs lack something but when it is a full band I'm a fan. The new record is pretty damn good.
By , at
11:48 p.m.
I quite like them... although I agree on the Matt solo thing. The more the merrier.
By Quinn, at
11:50 p.m.
theres also a couple of pics and review here
firmdragon.blogspot.com
By , at
3:10 p.m.
